Totally Booked with Zibby

Latest Episodes:

Kristan Higgins, PACK UP THE MOON: A Novel Sep 13, 2021

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Kristan Higgins, the bestselling author of twenty-one books, joins Zibby to discuss her latest novel Pack Up the Moon. Kristan shares how her personal experience with grief has shaped her entire life — and, notably, her marriage — and inspired a number of her stories, including this one. She also tells Zibby about how she became a writer when she realized that her love for reading and romantic comedies could be coupled to tell the stories of normal people. Read Kristan's essay "Preparing for Widowhood" on Moms Don't Have Time to Write here.

Purchase on Amazon or Bookshop.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3DlMRJt

Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3mA4eAk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kat Chow, SEEING GHOSTS: A Memoir Sep 12, 2021

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Former NPR reporter and journalist Kat Chow had a fear of death growing up which only made the death of her mother hit harder. In her debut memoir, Seeing Ghosts, Kat attempts to preserve her mother and her idiosyncrasies while also recounting her family's grieving process. Kat and Zibby discuss the process of mourning and memorializing those who have passed on and how the collective grief from Covid has impacted them.

Purchase on Amazon or Bookshop.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3jlfS08

Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3sRKQQh

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jessica DuLong, SAVED AT THE SEAWALL: Stories from the September 11 Boat Lift Sep 11, 2021

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Zibby hosts a special podcast in honor of the 20th anniversary of the attacks on September 11th, 2001 with author, mariner, historian, and journalist Jessica DuLong. Jessica’s latest book, Saved at the Seawall, tells the story of the boat lift in the New York City harbor on 9/11 and beyond. Jessica shares what drove her to take action and assist on the water, as well as the individual narratives of so many other who put humanity first to help others in need in the immediate aftermath of the crashes. Jessica and Zibby also discuss their own grieving journeys and how we can apply the lessons learned back then to our divided world today.

Purchase on Amazon or Bookshop.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3DYXqTa

Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3jUeMbH

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lọlá Ákínmádé Åkerström, IN EVERY MIRROR SHE'S BLACK: A Novel Sep 10, 2021

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Debut novelist Lọlá Ákínmádé Åkerström joins Zibby to talk about the inspiration for her book, In Every Mirror She's Black. Although she received 70 rejections, Lọlá knew her story about three Black women from all walks of life in Sweden was necessary to share with the world and her determination has proven industry gatekeepers wrong. Lọlá also tells Zibby about her experiences working as a travel journalist and how living all around the world helped her shape her characters and her story.

Purchase on Amazon or Bookshop.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/38jAsYl

Bookshop: https://bit.ly/38gGZTA

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bethany Crandell, SEE JANE SNAP Sep 10, 2021

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Zibby is joined by Bethany Crandell to talk about her hilarious second adult novel, See Jane Snap, which began with just the title. Bethany shares what inspired her to start writing young adult novels and when she knew it was time to make the switch to adult fiction. She also tells Zibby how her own family's story offered inspiration for this book and where she sees her writing going next.

Purchase on Amazon or Bookshop.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3jpL8Lv

Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3yiuyBm

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sophie Brickman, BABY, UNPLUGGED: One Mother's Search for Balance, Reason, and Sanity in the Digital Age Sep 09, 2021

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Journalist Sophie Brickman joined Zibby to discuss her first book, Baby, Unplugged, and the way childcare technology can make parents more anxious than at ease. Sophie shares how her husband's love of technology led to them test out a variety of child-centered gadgets, and which among them were actually worth it. Sophie also tells Zibby about how her experience as a line cook in New York City led to her career in journalism and what inspired her to make the shift from food writing to researching parenthood.

Purchase on Amazon or Bookshop.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2WrIbBe

Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3ynTHdI

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lauren Groff, MATRIX: A Novel Sep 08, 2021

Show notes

Lauren Groff, the award-winning author of Florida, joins Zibby to talk about her latest novel, Matrix, which was inspired by the often overlooked medieval female poet, Marie de France. Lauren shares why she wanted to discuss contemporary issues through a historical lens, why her novels often go through four or five very different iterations, and the number one tactic she uses to get out of her own way when writing.

Purchase on Amazon or Bookshop.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2WqdSL6

Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3kl8alC

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hayley Mills, FOREVER YOUNG: A Memoir Sep 07, 2021

Show notes

Zibby is joined by the iconic star of the original The Parent Trap, Hayley Mills, to discuss her time acting with Disney and the stories that are recounted in her new memoir, Forever Young. Hayley tells Zibby about how her screenwriter son showed her how to shape the narrative arc of her formative years, her experience exploring Walt Disney's archives and private possessions (which included her own hand-written letters), and the lessons she learned about her own family through reflecting on the past.

Purchase on Amazon or Bookshop.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3zrzB3S

Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3DdGYOq

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan Grue, I LIVE A LIFE LIKE YOURS: A Memoir Sep 06, 2021

Show notes

Norwegian author and professor Jan Grue joins Zibby to discuss his latest book, I Live a Life Like Yours, which was originally published in Norway in 2018. They talk about how Jan was inspired to write the book after reviewing medical and bureaucratic files on his childhood that painted a very different picture than his happy memories, and shares how he went about reconciling the two. Zibby and Jan's conversation also touches on the differences in how those with disabilities are treated in the U.S. and in Norway, as well as the importance of simply being kind to everyone you encounter.

Purchase on Amazon or Bookshop.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3mxfiyh

Bookshop: https://bit.ly/38hLqxy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chin, YZ, EDGE CASE: A Novel Sep 05, 2021

Show notes

"It's distressing to realize that you're changing. You can see yourself changing in the eyes of the people closest to you." Zibby is joined by YZ Chin to discuss her first novel, Edge Case. While the book is not autobiographical, YZ explains which elements of her own immigration journey inspired parts of the story and shared how obtaining her green card allowed her to finally pursue her dream of writing a novel. The two also talk about how the book portrays issues like mental illness and gender dynamics in the workplace with honesty and compassion.

Purchase on Amazon or Bookshop.

Amazon: amzn.to/37rXYSm

Bookshop: bit.ly/2X2xBAG

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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